Chapter Thirteen: The Truth
Ashley: Funny. The last chapter is chapter number 13.
Kazu: Well, if you post this on a Friday the 13th, we'll know why.
Ashley: Um...the next Friday the 13th is in February 2004. I wouldn't want my fans to wait that long.
Rika: And you wouldn't want you fans reading you babbling on and on about nothing, and waiting so long to get to the actual chapter, would you?
Ashley: Mif. (It's the Word Of The Week!!!) I'll just say: I don't own Digimon, the plan is almost done being written out though, and I don't own WSS (West Side Story) or Katie (if she's in here) or Amber. Or Madi. All belong to people they belong to. I own Ashley though! And sadly, I don't own Takato either. *cries*
Kazu and Rika: - -;;
Rika: Here's the last and final chapter of DSS! Yes, I know, sad. Well, not really. And watch, the reviewers are gonna say 'Make a sequel! Make a sequel!' That's up to Ashley. She did have this scary idea for a fic though, wasn't it about 'Paradise Hotel'?
Ashley: *stops crying* Yeah, like the show on FOX. *sigh* Never watch it. You'll get hooked on it. But, I did it! I stopped watching Paradise Hotel!!! *confetti streams down* YAY!!! BTW, people, special guest appearances by people you probably don't even know!!! Anyway, read and enjoy the last chapter...
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Rika walked home from the "meeting". She was still putting off talking to Ryo. But that was fine with her. Rika finally made it to her house and opened the door.
"Oh, Rika, is that you?" her mom called out from the living room.
"Um...yeah Mom," Rika answered, taking off her shoes.
"Come in here for a moment. I'd like you to meet someone."
Rika walked into the living room to see her mom sitting there, with a cup of tea, and her grandma sitting on the chair. But what Rika noticed first of all was the person sitting next to her mom. It was Alan, the freaky guy, with his freaky school.
"Oh, no, Mom! I don't want to go to his school!" Rika said.
"No, no, no. You don't have to go to his school if you don't want to," Rumiko said, making Rika blink in shock. "But...he has a favor to ask you."
Alan turned toward Rika. "If you don't want to go to my school, it's okay. But, I still want you to take part in some of the plays we put on."
Rika groaned. "I don't really want to-"
"But get this. We're putting on 'Romeo and Juliet' for the next play, and I was thinking, maybe you want to play the part of Juliet." Alan looked hopeful.
"Not another sappy mushy love story. I hate 'Romeo and Juliet'. And I wouldn't want to be Juliet if...well..."
"Oh, Rika," Rumiko spoke up, "Guess who's playing Romeo? That friend you have...um...Ryo? The cute one. Yes. He's playing Romeo."
"Um...excuse me, but, when did you have time to ask Ryo to play the part of Romeo? He hasn't been home all day," Rika asked.
"I haven't," Alan explained, "It's just that, you two have to play the major roles together. We need both of you."
"Uh..." Rika didn't know what to say.
"So, it's all settled then. Rika will play the part of Juliet in our production of 'Romeo and Juliet."
"No!" Rika suddenly said, "I don't want to! I hate acting."
"Oh, come on, honey," Rumiko said, "It's a good experience. And you need this sort of thing to get into a good college, so, yes, Rika will be in your production of 'Romeo and Juliet'." Rika stood there in disbelief.
"Great, tomorrow, come by the school and we'll get this all finished. Ryo will also be there," Alan explained, and added with a wink. "just so you know, Rika." Rika rolled her eyes, as Alan shut the door behind him.
"Okay, I was POLITE enough not to say this in front of Alan Reedy but, I am NOT gonna take part in this. Whatsoever!" Rika said.
"Yes, you will," Rumiko said.
"Grandma? What do you have to say about this?" Rika asked in exasperation.
"It does look good on a college application, dear," Seiko said, then took a sip of her tea.
"Oh great! The whole world is against me!" Rika threw her hands up in frustration, then trudged out of the room.
"Don't worry, Mom," Rumiko said after Rika left, "I know once she starts, she'll love it."
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"I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead," Rika muttered to herself the next morning as Rumiko and her went down to Reedy's Performing Arts School.
"You're not dead," Rumiko said, putting on some shades, and rolled down the window of their car.
"Omigosh! It's Rumiko Nonaka, the model!" someone shouted from the sidewalk.
"Omigosh! It's Rika Nonaka, the girl who starred in 'West Side Story' with Ryo Akiyama!" another shouted. Rika sighed.
'Great, now I'm associated with Ryo Akiyama wherever I go.' Rika thought.
Soon, they were at the school, and they both got out, and walked down to the door. Alan opened it before they could even knock.
"Ciao!! Come siete che fate questa bella giornata?" Alan shouted, a little too over enthusiastic.
"What?" Rika said, raising her eyebrows.
"It's Italian! I said, 'Hello! How are you this fine day?'" Alan explained.
"Fine..." Rika said.
"Just great Alan. Just great," Rumiko exclaimed.
"Let's just wait until Ryo gets here. Right Rika?"
"Why the HECK do you say something about Ryo, then look at me and wink or do a different ANNOYING thing!?" Rika almost yelled.
"Never mind, never mind. Come in and have a seat." Alan led Rumiko and Rika in what looked like Alan's office, and they sat down in the red poofy armchairs. (A/N: Remember, Amber? The poofy armchairs? At the car dealer ship? ^_^)
"Alright, Rika. The part of Juliet is very popular. Fifty girls at this school already signed up for it, but I'm saving the part for you. You must take it. You must work hard. You must be at every practice. You must..." Rika tuned him out. She didn't even want the part of Juliet.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Oh," Alan said, stopping in the middle of his speech, "That must be Ryo. Great, huh, Rika?"
Rika rolled her eyes and muttered underneath her breath something along the lines of, 'Why the heck do you keep doing that?!'
All Alan did was smile at Rika, and then answer the door.
"Um...Alan sir," a kid said, at the door.
"Yes, Theodore. What the heck do you want?" Alan snapped.
'Wow, seems like a nice...but scary guy...' Rika thought, 'But, he snaps at his students. Glad I'm not going to this school.'
"There's a Ryo at the front gates for you. Should I let him in or-"
"Theodore Deraton!!! Are you telling me that you left Ryo Akiyama waiting outside the gates?"
"Um..."
"This is RYO AKIYAMA! The guy who played Tony in the 'West Side Story' play I took you students to see!!" Alan practically yelled.
"OH! Ryo Akiyama?! I didn't know sir," Theodore said quickly, "I'll let him in right now." Then the little kid ran off and out of sight.
"These kids at this school aren't all like that Ms. Nonaka," Alan explained, "Trust me. It won't be like that."
Rika sat up in shock. "So, you ARE sending me to this cruddy school!"
"Rika, don't talk about Alan's school like that!" Rumiko said.
"MOM! I don't want to go to this school. I told you that!" Rika shouted.
"It's for the best," Rumiko ended the argument, as Rika slumped back into her seat, fuming.
Suddenly, the door opened again and two people walked in. Ryo and his father.
"Oh, Ryo! Mr. Akiyama!" Alan jumped up, walking over to shake their hands, "Glad you could make it. Sit down, sit down."
They both pulled up the poofy chairs, and sat down in them.
Alan sat back down in his seat behind a desk. "Alright! Now all of you are here. What a privilege having Ryo Akiyama and Rika Nonaka considering going to my school."
"I am not considering going to your school," Rika muttered.
Alan either didn't hear Rika or ignored her. "We need some papers to be done. Mostly stuff about advertising about the plays and stuff like that. So, Mr. Akiyama. Ms. Nonaka. You two sign first." They both signed without an argument.
"Okay Rika. Sign right here." Alan gave Rika a pen. She stared at the pen, and then at the paper. Rika looked up at her Mom who was watching her intently. Alan, who seemed really giddy. And then Ryo. Rika met his gaze. She couldn't tell what he was thinking. A few moments like that passed.
Rika quickly stood up. "No! I'm not going to your school!" Rika shouted. And with that, she ran out of the door.
Rika quickly walked around the gates, and started walking on the grassy hills surrounding the school.
She wasn't gonna go to that school. There was absolutely no way possible. She also wasn't even gonna act for the school. She wanted nothing to do with Alan Reedy. No one was gonna make her do something she didn't want to do. No one.
Rika stopped at a small lake. On the other side, she could see mimes...well...miming. It was sort of scary looking. A mime suddenly waved to Rika, making her frown. The mime made a shocked look, and then looked back to the other mimes, pointing to her. All the mimes turned angry...and silently ran toward Rika.
Rika stood there for a second, processing what was happening. A mob of mimes were chasing her. Oh. A MOB?!! Rika immediately started running away, as fast as she could.
'Mimes? MIMES?! WHY THE HECK ARE MIMES CHASING AFTER ME?!' Rika thought, running, not being able to believe what was happening.
Rika ran through some trees, not having an idea where she was going. Through the trees, she saw some light, and ran toward it. It was a small clearing, and over the hill, she saw the main road, and the school. She ran all the way around the school.
She sat down on a rock, catching her breath. Then she heard the sound of many footsteps. Rika immediately hid behind a tree, as she saw many mime girls ran past, silently screaming.
"Mime...fangirls..." she heard someone pant on the other side of the tree. Rika looked around the side of the tree, to see Ryo panting, hands on his knees.
"So, you have fangirls that are mimes?" Rika said. Ryo looked up and saw her.
"I guess so."
"Why the heck are you out here? Were you chasing after me or something?" Rika asked.
"Actually, Alan kicked us out because he said if you weren't gonna participate, then there was no reason to let me sign up. Then, the mimes found me, and ran away. And here I am." Ryo explained, as Rika smirked. "It's not funny! I just about died in that mob!"
"So, you're not going to this school, then?" Rika said.
"Of course not! I wouldn't have wanted to anyway."
Rika sat down on a rock. There was an awkward silence as Rika considered if she should tell Ryo yet. Little did she know, Ryo was thinking the exact same thing.
"So...um..." Ryo said, scratching the back of his neck.
"What?" Rika looked up.
"Never mind." Another awkward silence.
"Um..." Rika started to say but faded out.
"I think I know what we both have to talk about," Ryo interrupted.
Rika nodded. "Yeah, the play."
"It's been on my mind ever since, and I know I need to talk to you about a part in it," Ryo hesitantly said.
"The first kiss?" Rika asked.
"Yeah...um...I was shocked. That's why I jumped back. I had no idea that was gonna happen, and-"
Rika unexpectedly cut in. "Ryo, do you like me?"
Ryo was surprised Rika asked this. He did, but he didn't know if he should answer truthfully.
"Listen Rika. I don't want to end our friendship, I really don't. But I don't want to lie to you either. So, this is hard. But, the truth is, I do like you Rika, I really," Ryo thought a deep breath, "really like you." Silence.
"So, did you feel something in that kiss, Ryo? Did you?" Rika looked into Ryo's eyes.
"Why should you be the one questioning me? No, I ask YOU, did you feel something in that kiss, Rika? Answer truthfully. Don't try to lie."
Ryo did tell her the truth in the last question. She should tell him the truth in this one too. But, was it the right thing to do? What would he do if she had felt something in that kiss.
"Well," Rika finally said, "I don't know what I felt. But I know I never felt like that before. It was surprising. I was shocked at what I felt. It was something new to me. I don't know what to call it. Really, I don't. I just know I never felt like that before."
"What if you had another chance to try to find out what you felt?" Ryo asked.
"What are you saying?" Rika asked, confused.
"This." Ryo leaned forward and cupped Rika's cheek with his hand, as their lips met. Rika was surprised at first at Ryo's sudden bravery toward kissing her. Then, she fell into the kiss, kissing him back.
A minute later, Ryo backed off. He looked into Rika's eyes while resting his forehead on her's.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," Ryo whispered, as Rika blushed. "I hope you know I meant that kiss on stage. Every one of them. And I care for you...very much so."
"You mean that?" Rika asked, looking down on the ground.
"Why would I say it if I didn't mean it?"
Rika shrugged. Ryo, without warning, kissed Rika once more.
"Will you be my girlfriend, Rika?" Ryo asked, looking deep into Rika's eyes.
A pause. Then, Rika got an idea, and smirked. "Well, I dunno," Rika pondered. Ryo sighed. Then, Rika smiled. "Of course."
Ryo smiled, and brought Rika toward him, hugging her. A couple minutes later, Rika remembered that her mom was still waiting for her. And Ryo's dad was probably waiting for Ryo.
"We'd better go before our parents suspect anything," Rika said, and got up reluctantly.
"Okay," Ryo got up too. There was an uneasy silence walking back to the school, until Ryo got an idea. Yes, it was stupid, but it was an interesting idea. And it fit what just happened.
"Rika! I've just kissed a girl named Rika. And suddenly I've found how wonderful a sound can be!" Rika stared at him as if he was crazy. "You know what? Your name needs one more syllable. Three, instead of two. Then, it would fit with the song."
"You're crazy," Rika muttered, walking in front of Ryo.
Ryo grinned. "Could be, who knows?" he said, causing Rika to sigh in exasperation, but smile afterwards.
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The next day, all the cast of the play were having a party, in the school cafeteria after school. No one knew that Ryo and Rika were together. Everyone was clueless.
Rika was sitting at table in the corner, alone. She looked around the cafeteria, at all the streamers and confetti, and then at the huge sign hung up over the doorway, 'GOOD JOB EVERYONE!!!' Everything reminding her of the dances held here. And how she hated them.
Rika was just about to leave, when someone sat next to her. "Hey wildcat."
Rika rolled her eyes. "What if someone sees you? They might suspect something," Rika said, still haven't looked at him yet.
"Well, what they suspect would be correct, wouldn't it?" Ryo asked.
"THEY don't know, remember?"
"True. But I can't even sit next to you?" Ryo put on a puppy dogface and Rika turned around.
"I never did before, so, go!" Rika said, pushing him off the seat. Ryo sulkily walked off, causing Rika to shake her head at his behavior.
"Hey Rika! Over here!" she heard Jeri shout from somewhere on the other side of the room. Rika looked around and spotted her with the rest of the group. Rika walked over.
"Hey. What are you guys talking about?" Rika asked.
"Absolutely nothing," Amber said.
"Hey, I saw you talking to Ryo just a second ago," Jeri exclaimed, "What were you two talking about?"
Rika groaned. "Nothing. He was just being annoying like he always is." 'Great excuse.'
Suddenly, a short guy with brown hair came up to the group. "Hey, do you know a Katie?" he asked.
"Um...yeah," Jeri said, "You mean her, talking to Ashley?" She pointed over at the girl who played Chino in the play.
"Oh, goody!" the guy clapped his hands together and walked over to Katie.
"Oh-kay," Amber said.
Ashley walked over the group. "Hey guys. I saw Matt was talking to you."
"Matt? You mean the guy who asked for Katie?" Jeri asked.
"Yeah. He's our classmate. Matt is currently trying to annoy Katie." Ashley pointed to a fleeing Katie, with a chasing Matt behind her. (A/N: Seriously Katie, this just popped into my head while writing.)
All the girls walked back to the table, and sat down.
"YOU'RE IN MY BUBBLE, MATT!!!" Katie's screams could be heard.
"Hey girls," Henry said, as Amber sat down next to him.
"Hey," all the girls chorused.
"Where's Kazu?" Jeri asked, looking around.
"We have no clue," Takato answered.
"Probably flirting with some girls," Ashley said, as she rolled her eyes. Everyone sighed.
Out of the corner of her eye, Rika saw Ryo waving at her.
"Um...I'll be right back," Rika said, walking slowly backwards, and then turning around, walking quickly away.
"Wonder what's up with her," Jeri muttered, then put done her glass to follow.
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"What's up?" Rika asked, following Ryo through the backyard of the school.
"I was wondering if we should tell our friends about us..." Ryo said, stopping by the water fountain.
Rika groaned. "Kazu and Kenta would never let it down."
"Yeah, but it hard keeping it a secret. And sooner or later they'll find out."
"Well, I suppose it's not fair, not telling them and all. I guess you're right."
Ryo looked surprised. "Did you just say I was right about something?" he asked.
"Oh, shut up!" Rika said, hitting his shoulder.
"I know a way to get me to shut up," Ryo said with a grin.
"You're so full of it, you know that?" Rika said, but slightly smiling too. Then she leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth.
"Omigosh!" someone whispered behind them, and ran off to tell the others.
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"It was a cool movie! The best ever!"
"I didn't like it. The girl dies! Why the heck does the girl die?!?"
"Oh, come on, it rocked!"
"It BORED me. Half of it I didn't understand!"
"Um...what are you two arguing about again??" Henry asked, looking at Kazu and Ashley, who were fighting about...something.
"The movie Daredevil," Ashley explained, "Of course, the girl had to die! Girl dies, guy lives! Stupid movie."
"It was - " Kazu started, but was stopped when Jeri ran up to the table, panting.
"Kiss...going out...they...are...going out..." Jeri panted.
The guys all looked confused, when the girls all said in unison, "RYO AND RIKA ARE GOING OUT!?!" All the guys looked at the girls.
"She didn't say that," Takato said.
"Yes, she did!" Amber said, excitedly. "You saw them kiss? Where? How long have they been going out? Why didn't they tell us?"
"No clue," Jeri said, sitting down. "I saw them talking about it, and then they kissed."
"And you girls got that all from 'kiss...going out...they...are...going out???' She didn't even say who!" Kenta said, looking at them, "How do you DO that?"
"It's a gift!" Ashley announced, as the guys all sighed. "So, it's true? They're going out?!"
"Yes, and they're coming to tell us, now or sometime soon."
"There they are!" Amber said, "Now, act natural." Everyone went back to doing what they were doing before.
"Oh, hey, you guys," Henry said, as Ryo and Rika approached.
"Um...we have something we'd like to tell you," Rika said.
"Okay, what is it?" Kazu asked.
A short pause. "We're...going out," Ryo announced. Silence...then...
"FINALLY!" Ashley said, getting up. "It took you long enough."
"Congratulations you two!"
"Wow!"
"That's great!"
"You guys aren't shocked? Or something like that?" Rika asked, confused.
"Nah...you two are perfect for each other!" Takato said.
"Thanks you guys," Ryo said.
Kazu walked up to Ryo. "So, what's it like to have a girlfriend?"
Ashley laughed. "Wondering about the not even possible, Kazu?"
Kazu looked shocked. "Are you saying I don't have a girlfriend?"
"Are you saying you actually have a girlfriend?" Ashley gasped.
"Yeah, I just never told you guys about her."
Rika started laughing. "You're making this whole thing up Kazu. I can tell."
"I just never told anyone. We kept our relationship a secret! I met her at the practices."
"Yeah right, maybe when I met her, I'll believe you," Rika said, and Ashley nodded.
"I'll go get her then," Kazu announced, walking off.
"He's lying," Rika said, after Kazu was gone.
"Maybe, maybe not," Henry exclaimed.
A couple minutes later, Kazu came back with a girl. She was a tall brunette, with brown eyes.
She walked up to the group, and said, "Hi, I'm Madi."
"How much did you pay her, Kazu?" Rika asked.
Kazu whispered to Madi, "She doesn't believe you're my girlfriend."
Madi smirked. "We'll see about that." Out of nowhere, she kissed Kazu on the lips.
Kenta was the first to say something. "Well, I've seen more than I want to tonight." Everyone silently agreed.
"Hey, where's Jeri?" Rika asked, looking around.
Suddenly, Jeri came back smiling. A couple seconds later, Mrs. Tenner came onstage.
"Hello everyone. I know we planned no music for tonight, but we want to play a special song, for a special couple. Ryo...Rika. We are playing this song for you." Ryo and Rika looked at each other, and then at Jeri.
"Come on. Go out there," Jeri said, giving them a light push. Ryo mouthed something along the lines of, 'Thank you, I owe you one.' Jeri just smiled in return.
~~
What if I told you, it was all meant to be?
Would you believe me? Would you agree?
It's almost that feeling that we've met before
So tell me that you don't think I'm crazy
When I tell you love has come here and now
~~
Ryo and Rika slow danced to the music, as the tamers watched.
~~
A moment like this
Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this
Some people search forever
For that one special kiss
Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me
Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this
~~
The song continued, as everyone watched the stars of their play. Everyone was either 'aww'ing, or sighing, or just watching.
"They make such a cute couple," Ashley sighed.
"Like us," Takato said from behind her. Ashley turned around and smiled. Takato kissed her. (A/N: TAKE THAT JURATO FANS!!! MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I'm feeling really rebellious today!! I'm so evil. MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!)
~~
Everything changes, but beauty remains
Something so tender, I can't explain
Well I maybe dreaming, but till I awake
Can we make this dream last forever?
And I cherish all the love we share
~~
Henry and Amber looked over at Takato and Ashley.
"You know what? They have the same idea I do," Henry said, causing Amber to giggle before he kissed her.
Finally, after two more minutes, the song was over. Ryo kissed Rika. Everyone cheered.
An hour later, everyone was leaving.
"You know what?" Kenta said, "Ryo and Rika, and Kazu and Madi, wouldn't be together right now if not for the West Side Story play. And whose idea was that?"
"Yeah, it was my idea," Ashley said, "I'm playing matchmaker and I don't even know it!"
Everyone laughed, and slowly left. Only Ryo and Rika were left.
"Come on, Tony, we'd better get going," Rika joked, taking Ryo's hand.
"Alright, my Maria."
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Ashley: *confetti comes down* It's over!!!!
Everyone: YAY!
Ashley: And to celebrate, I booked a band.
Rika: A band?
Ashley: PRAIZE!!! Come on out guys.
Dave: Hey Ash.
Ashley: Hey Wonder Bread!!!
Luke: Hey.
Ashley: *dreamily* Hey Luke...
Everyone else: Hi.
Ashley: So, let's get the party started! *over the music* I'd like to give a shout out to all my reviewers...this is gonna take long...well...
Kaibalover, dragongirl18, isis52, Kit Kat, Amethyst Blizzard, Kitaru15, Pirosphere, KT, dragongirl, DigiFreak103, RukiMakino1, Akino Matoumiken, The Anti Fluffy, Fuzzy Wuzzy Whitnery, A Friend, babe_galanime, your very angry friend, EvilVidel, bff, One of your Fans, littocherryblossom, Abby, your best bud, anonymous, myself, Rika14, Border Line, Midnight Blossom, taKAri_RyUki~ruLEz, r a d i a n c e, Raye, Angel, 9-gungaw In4, o0Kasumi0o, Sam8
THANK YOU!!!! I LOVE YOU PEEPS!!!!
Kazu: Let me say something before we end. HI PEOPLE!!!
Ashley: - -;; Um...BYE!!! SEE YA IN MY OTHER FICS!!!!!
Ashley: Funny. The last chapter is chapter number 13.
Kazu: Well, if you post this on a Friday the 13th, we'll know why.
Ashley: Um...the next Friday the 13th is in February 2004. I wouldn't want my fans to wait that long.
Rika: And you wouldn't want you fans reading you babbling on and on about nothing, and waiting so long to get to the actual chapter, would you?
Ashley: Mif. (It's the Word Of The Week!!!) I'll just say: I don't own Digimon, the plan is almost done being written out though, and I don't own WSS (West Side Story) or Katie (if she's in here) or Amber. Or Madi. All belong to people they belong to. I own Ashley though! And sadly, I don't own Takato either. *cries*
Kazu and Rika: - -;;
Rika: Here's the last and final chapter of DSS! Yes, I know, sad. Well, not really. And watch, the reviewers are gonna say 'Make a sequel! Make a sequel!' That's up to Ashley. She did have this scary idea for a fic though, wasn't it about 'Paradise Hotel'?
Ashley: *stops crying* Yeah, like the show on FOX. *sigh* Never watch it. You'll get hooked on it. But, I did it! I stopped watching Paradise Hotel!!! *confetti streams down* YAY!!! BTW, people, special guest appearances by people you probably don't even know!!! Anyway, read and enjoy the last chapter...
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Rika walked home from the "meeting". She was still putting off talking to Ryo. But that was fine with her. Rika finally made it to her house and opened the door.
"Oh, Rika, is that you?" her mom called out from the living room.
"Um...yeah Mom," Rika answered, taking off her shoes.
"Come in here for a moment. I'd like you to meet someone."
Rika walked into the living room to see her mom sitting there, with a cup of tea, and her grandma sitting on the chair. But what Rika noticed first of all was the person sitting next to her mom. It was Alan, the freaky guy, with his freaky school.
"Oh, no, Mom! I don't want to go to his school!" Rika said.
"No, no, no. You don't have to go to his school if you don't want to," Rumiko said, making Rika blink in shock. "But...he has a favor to ask you."
Alan turned toward Rika. "If you don't want to go to my school, it's okay. But, I still want you to take part in some of the plays we put on."
Rika groaned. "I don't really want to-"
"But get this. We're putting on 'Romeo and Juliet' for the next play, and I was thinking, maybe you want to play the part of Juliet." Alan looked hopeful.
"Not another sappy mushy love story. I hate 'Romeo and Juliet'. And I wouldn't want to be Juliet if...well..."
"Oh, Rika," Rumiko spoke up, "Guess who's playing Romeo? That friend you have...um...Ryo? The cute one. Yes. He's playing Romeo."
"Um...excuse me, but, when did you have time to ask Ryo to play the part of Romeo? He hasn't been home all day," Rika asked.
"I haven't," Alan explained, "It's just that, you two have to play the major roles together. We need both of you."
"Uh..." Rika didn't know what to say.
"So, it's all settled then. Rika will play the part of Juliet in our production of 'Romeo and Juliet."
"No!" Rika suddenly said, "I don't want to! I hate acting."
"Oh, come on, honey," Rumiko said, "It's a good experience. And you need this sort of thing to get into a good college, so, yes, Rika will be in your production of 'Romeo and Juliet'." Rika stood there in disbelief.
"Great, tomorrow, come by the school and we'll get this all finished. Ryo will also be there," Alan explained, and added with a wink. "just so you know, Rika." Rika rolled her eyes, as Alan shut the door behind him.
"Okay, I was POLITE enough not to say this in front of Alan Reedy but, I am NOT gonna take part in this. Whatsoever!" Rika said.
"Yes, you will," Rumiko said.
"Grandma? What do you have to say about this?" Rika asked in exasperation.
"It does look good on a college application, dear," Seiko said, then took a sip of her tea.
"Oh great! The whole world is against me!" Rika threw her hands up in frustration, then trudged out of the room.
"Don't worry, Mom," Rumiko said after Rika left, "I know once she starts, she'll love it."
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"I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead," Rika muttered to herself the next morning as Rumiko and her went down to Reedy's Performing Arts School.
"You're not dead," Rumiko said, putting on some shades, and rolled down the window of their car.
"Omigosh! It's Rumiko Nonaka, the model!" someone shouted from the sidewalk.
"Omigosh! It's Rika Nonaka, the girl who starred in 'West Side Story' with Ryo Akiyama!" another shouted. Rika sighed.
'Great, now I'm associated with Ryo Akiyama wherever I go.' Rika thought.
Soon, they were at the school, and they both got out, and walked down to the door. Alan opened it before they could even knock.
"Ciao!! Come siete che fate questa bella giornata?" Alan shouted, a little too over enthusiastic.
"What?" Rika said, raising her eyebrows.
"It's Italian! I said, 'Hello! How are you this fine day?'" Alan explained.
"Fine..." Rika said.
"Just great Alan. Just great," Rumiko exclaimed.
"Let's just wait until Ryo gets here. Right Rika?"
"Why the HECK do you say something about Ryo, then look at me and wink or do a different ANNOYING thing!?" Rika almost yelled.
"Never mind, never mind. Come in and have a seat." Alan led Rumiko and Rika in what looked like Alan's office, and they sat down in the red poofy armchairs. (A/N: Remember, Amber? The poofy armchairs? At the car dealer ship? ^_^)
"Alright, Rika. The part of Juliet is very popular. Fifty girls at this school already signed up for it, but I'm saving the part for you. You must take it. You must work hard. You must be at every practice. You must..." Rika tuned him out. She didn't even want the part of Juliet.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Oh," Alan said, stopping in the middle of his speech, "That must be Ryo. Great, huh, Rika?"
Rika rolled her eyes and muttered underneath her breath something along the lines of, 'Why the heck do you keep doing that?!'
All Alan did was smile at Rika, and then answer the door.
"Um...Alan sir," a kid said, at the door.
"Yes, Theodore. What the heck do you want?" Alan snapped.
'Wow, seems like a nice...but scary guy...' Rika thought, 'But, he snaps at his students. Glad I'm not going to this school.'
"There's a Ryo at the front gates for you. Should I let him in or-"
"Theodore Deraton!!! Are you telling me that you left Ryo Akiyama waiting outside the gates?"
"Um..."
"This is RYO AKIYAMA! The guy who played Tony in the 'West Side Story' play I took you students to see!!" Alan practically yelled.
"OH! Ryo Akiyama?! I didn't know sir," Theodore said quickly, "I'll let him in right now." Then the little kid ran off and out of sight.
"These kids at this school aren't all like that Ms. Nonaka," Alan explained, "Trust me. It won't be like that."
Rika sat up in shock. "So, you ARE sending me to this cruddy school!"
"Rika, don't talk about Alan's school like that!" Rumiko said.
"MOM! I don't want to go to this school. I told you that!" Rika shouted.
"It's for the best," Rumiko ended the argument, as Rika slumped back into her seat, fuming.
Suddenly, the door opened again and two people walked in. Ryo and his father.
"Oh, Ryo! Mr. Akiyama!" Alan jumped up, walking over to shake their hands, "Glad you could make it. Sit down, sit down."
They both pulled up the poofy chairs, and sat down in them.
Alan sat back down in his seat behind a desk. "Alright! Now all of you are here. What a privilege having Ryo Akiyama and Rika Nonaka considering going to my school."
"I am not considering going to your school," Rika muttered.
Alan either didn't hear Rika or ignored her. "We need some papers to be done. Mostly stuff about advertising about the plays and stuff like that. So, Mr. Akiyama. Ms. Nonaka. You two sign first." They both signed without an argument.
"Okay Rika. Sign right here." Alan gave Rika a pen. She stared at the pen, and then at the paper. Rika looked up at her Mom who was watching her intently. Alan, who seemed really giddy. And then Ryo. Rika met his gaze. She couldn't tell what he was thinking. A few moments like that passed.
Rika quickly stood up. "No! I'm not going to your school!" Rika shouted. And with that, she ran out of the door.
Rika quickly walked around the gates, and started walking on the grassy hills surrounding the school.
She wasn't gonna go to that school. There was absolutely no way possible. She also wasn't even gonna act for the school. She wanted nothing to do with Alan Reedy. No one was gonna make her do something she didn't want to do. No one.
Rika stopped at a small lake. On the other side, she could see mimes...well...miming. It was sort of scary looking. A mime suddenly waved to Rika, making her frown. The mime made a shocked look, and then looked back to the other mimes, pointing to her. All the mimes turned angry...and silently ran toward Rika.
Rika stood there for a second, processing what was happening. A mob of mimes were chasing her. Oh. A MOB?!! Rika immediately started running away, as fast as she could.
'Mimes? MIMES?! WHY THE HECK ARE MIMES CHASING AFTER ME?!' Rika thought, running, not being able to believe what was happening.
Rika ran through some trees, not having an idea where she was going. Through the trees, she saw some light, and ran toward it. It was a small clearing, and over the hill, she saw the main road, and the school. She ran all the way around the school.
She sat down on a rock, catching her breath. Then she heard the sound of many footsteps. Rika immediately hid behind a tree, as she saw many mime girls ran past, silently screaming.
"Mime...fangirls..." she heard someone pant on the other side of the tree. Rika looked around the side of the tree, to see Ryo panting, hands on his knees.
"So, you have fangirls that are mimes?" Rika said. Ryo looked up and saw her.
"I guess so."
"Why the heck are you out here? Were you chasing after me or something?" Rika asked.
"Actually, Alan kicked us out because he said if you weren't gonna participate, then there was no reason to let me sign up. Then, the mimes found me, and ran away. And here I am." Ryo explained, as Rika smirked. "It's not funny! I just about died in that mob!"
"So, you're not going to this school, then?" Rika said.
"Of course not! I wouldn't have wanted to anyway."
Rika sat down on a rock. There was an awkward silence as Rika considered if she should tell Ryo yet. Little did she know, Ryo was thinking the exact same thing.
"So...um..." Ryo said, scratching the back of his neck.
"What?" Rika looked up.
"Never mind." Another awkward silence.
"Um..." Rika started to say but faded out.
"I think I know what we both have to talk about," Ryo interrupted.
Rika nodded. "Yeah, the play."
"It's been on my mind ever since, and I know I need to talk to you about a part in it," Ryo hesitantly said.
"The first kiss?" Rika asked.
"Yeah...um...I was shocked. That's why I jumped back. I had no idea that was gonna happen, and-"
Rika unexpectedly cut in. "Ryo, do you like me?"
Ryo was surprised Rika asked this. He did, but he didn't know if he should answer truthfully.
"Listen Rika. I don't want to end our friendship, I really don't. But I don't want to lie to you either. So, this is hard. But, the truth is, I do like you Rika, I really," Ryo thought a deep breath, "really like you." Silence.
"So, did you feel something in that kiss, Ryo? Did you?" Rika looked into Ryo's eyes.
"Why should you be the one questioning me? No, I ask YOU, did you feel something in that kiss, Rika? Answer truthfully. Don't try to lie."
Ryo did tell her the truth in the last question. She should tell him the truth in this one too. But, was it the right thing to do? What would he do if she had felt something in that kiss.
"Well," Rika finally said, "I don't know what I felt. But I know I never felt like that before. It was surprising. I was shocked at what I felt. It was something new to me. I don't know what to call it. Really, I don't. I just know I never felt like that before."
"What if you had another chance to try to find out what you felt?" Ryo asked.
"What are you saying?" Rika asked, confused.
"This." Ryo leaned forward and cupped Rika's cheek with his hand, as their lips met. Rika was surprised at first at Ryo's sudden bravery toward kissing her. Then, she fell into the kiss, kissing him back.
A minute later, Ryo backed off. He looked into Rika's eyes while resting his forehead on her's.
"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," Ryo whispered, as Rika blushed. "I hope you know I meant that kiss on stage. Every one of them. And I care for you...very much so."
"You mean that?" Rika asked, looking down on the ground.
"Why would I say it if I didn't mean it?"
Rika shrugged. Ryo, without warning, kissed Rika once more.
"Will you be my girlfriend, Rika?" Ryo asked, looking deep into Rika's eyes.
A pause. Then, Rika got an idea, and smirked. "Well, I dunno," Rika pondered. Ryo sighed. Then, Rika smiled. "Of course."
Ryo smiled, and brought Rika toward him, hugging her. A couple minutes later, Rika remembered that her mom was still waiting for her. And Ryo's dad was probably waiting for Ryo.
"We'd better go before our parents suspect anything," Rika said, and got up reluctantly.
"Okay," Ryo got up too. There was an uneasy silence walking back to the school, until Ryo got an idea. Yes, it was stupid, but it was an interesting idea. And it fit what just happened.
"Rika! I've just kissed a girl named Rika. And suddenly I've found how wonderful a sound can be!" Rika stared at him as if he was crazy. "You know what? Your name needs one more syllable. Three, instead of two. Then, it would fit with the song."
"You're crazy," Rika muttered, walking in front of Ryo.
Ryo grinned. "Could be, who knows?" he said, causing Rika to sigh in exasperation, but smile afterwards.
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The next day, all the cast of the play were having a party, in the school cafeteria after school. No one knew that Ryo and Rika were together. Everyone was clueless.
Rika was sitting at table in the corner, alone. She looked around the cafeteria, at all the streamers and confetti, and then at the huge sign hung up over the doorway, 'GOOD JOB EVERYONE!!!' Everything reminding her of the dances held here. And how she hated them.
Rika was just about to leave, when someone sat next to her. "Hey wildcat."
Rika rolled her eyes. "What if someone sees you? They might suspect something," Rika said, still haven't looked at him yet.
"Well, what they suspect would be correct, wouldn't it?" Ryo asked.
"THEY don't know, remember?"
"True. But I can't even sit next to you?" Ryo put on a puppy dogface and Rika turned around.
"I never did before, so, go!" Rika said, pushing him off the seat. Ryo sulkily walked off, causing Rika to shake her head at his behavior.
"Hey Rika! Over here!" she heard Jeri shout from somewhere on the other side of the room. Rika looked around and spotted her with the rest of the group. Rika walked over.
"Hey. What are you guys talking about?" Rika asked.
"Absolutely nothing," Amber said.
"Hey, I saw you talking to Ryo just a second ago," Jeri exclaimed, "What were you two talking about?"
Rika groaned. "Nothing. He was just being annoying like he always is." 'Great excuse.'
Suddenly, a short guy with brown hair came up to the group. "Hey, do you know a Katie?" he asked.
"Um...yeah," Jeri said, "You mean her, talking to Ashley?" She pointed over at the girl who played Chino in the play.
"Oh, goody!" the guy clapped his hands together and walked over to Katie.
"Oh-kay," Amber said.
Ashley walked over the group. "Hey guys. I saw Matt was talking to you."
"Matt? You mean the guy who asked for Katie?" Jeri asked.
"Yeah. He's our classmate. Matt is currently trying to annoy Katie." Ashley pointed to a fleeing Katie, with a chasing Matt behind her. (A/N: Seriously Katie, this just popped into my head while writing.)
All the girls walked back to the table, and sat down.
"YOU'RE IN MY BUBBLE, MATT!!!" Katie's screams could be heard.
"Hey girls," Henry said, as Amber sat down next to him.
"Hey," all the girls chorused.
"Where's Kazu?" Jeri asked, looking around.
"We have no clue," Takato answered.
"Probably flirting with some girls," Ashley said, as she rolled her eyes. Everyone sighed.
Out of the corner of her eye, Rika saw Ryo waving at her.
"Um...I'll be right back," Rika said, walking slowly backwards, and then turning around, walking quickly away.
"Wonder what's up with her," Jeri muttered, then put done her glass to follow.
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"What's up?" Rika asked, following Ryo through the backyard of the school.
"I was wondering if we should tell our friends about us..." Ryo said, stopping by the water fountain.
Rika groaned. "Kazu and Kenta would never let it down."
"Yeah, but it hard keeping it a secret. And sooner or later they'll find out."
"Well, I suppose it's not fair, not telling them and all. I guess you're right."
Ryo looked surprised. "Did you just say I was right about something?" he asked.
"Oh, shut up!" Rika said, hitting his shoulder.
"I know a way to get me to shut up," Ryo said with a grin.
"You're so full of it, you know that?" Rika said, but slightly smiling too. Then she leaned forward and kissed him on the mouth.
"Omigosh!" someone whispered behind them, and ran off to tell the others.
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"It was a cool movie! The best ever!"
"I didn't like it. The girl dies! Why the heck does the girl die?!?"
"Oh, come on, it rocked!"
"It BORED me. Half of it I didn't understand!"
"Um...what are you two arguing about again??" Henry asked, looking at Kazu and Ashley, who were fighting about...something.
"The movie Daredevil," Ashley explained, "Of course, the girl had to die! Girl dies, guy lives! Stupid movie."
"It was - " Kazu started, but was stopped when Jeri ran up to the table, panting.
"Kiss...going out...they...are...going out..." Jeri panted.
The guys all looked confused, when the girls all said in unison, "RYO AND RIKA ARE GOING OUT!?!" All the guys looked at the girls.
"She didn't say that," Takato said.
"Yes, she did!" Amber said, excitedly. "You saw them kiss? Where? How long have they been going out? Why didn't they tell us?"
"No clue," Jeri said, sitting down. "I saw them talking about it, and then they kissed."
"And you girls got that all from 'kiss...going out...they...are...going out???' She didn't even say who!" Kenta said, looking at them, "How do you DO that?"
"It's a gift!" Ashley announced, as the guys all sighed. "So, it's true? They're going out?!"
"Yes, and they're coming to tell us, now or sometime soon."
"There they are!" Amber said, "Now, act natural." Everyone went back to doing what they were doing before.
"Oh, hey, you guys," Henry said, as Ryo and Rika approached.
"Um...we have something we'd like to tell you," Rika said.
"Okay, what is it?" Kazu asked.
A short pause. "We're...going out," Ryo announced. Silence...then...
"FINALLY!" Ashley said, getting up. "It took you long enough."
"Congratulations you two!"
"Wow!"
"That's great!"
"You guys aren't shocked? Or something like that?" Rika asked, confused.
"Nah...you two are perfect for each other!" Takato said.
"Thanks you guys," Ryo said.
Kazu walked up to Ryo. "So, what's it like to have a girlfriend?"
Ashley laughed. "Wondering about the not even possible, Kazu?"
Kazu looked shocked. "Are you saying I don't have a girlfriend?"
"Are you saying you actually have a girlfriend?" Ashley gasped.
"Yeah, I just never told you guys about her."
Rika started laughing. "You're making this whole thing up Kazu. I can tell."
"I just never told anyone. We kept our relationship a secret! I met her at the practices."
"Yeah right, maybe when I met her, I'll believe you," Rika said, and Ashley nodded.
"I'll go get her then," Kazu announced, walking off.
"He's lying," Rika said, after Kazu was gone.
"Maybe, maybe not," Henry exclaimed.
A couple minutes later, Kazu came back with a girl. She was a tall brunette, with brown eyes.
She walked up to the group, and said, "Hi, I'm Madi."
"How much did you pay her, Kazu?" Rika asked.
Kazu whispered to Madi, "She doesn't believe you're my girlfriend."
Madi smirked. "We'll see about that." Out of nowhere, she kissed Kazu on the lips.
Kenta was the first to say something. "Well, I've seen more than I want to tonight." Everyone silently agreed.
"Hey, where's Jeri?" Rika asked, looking around.
Suddenly, Jeri came back smiling. A couple seconds later, Mrs. Tenner came onstage.
"Hello everyone. I know we planned no music for tonight, but we want to play a special song, for a special couple. Ryo...Rika. We are playing this song for you." Ryo and Rika looked at each other, and then at Jeri.
"Come on. Go out there," Jeri said, giving them a light push. Ryo mouthed something along the lines of, 'Thank you, I owe you one.' Jeri just smiled in return.
~~
What if I told you, it was all meant to be?
Would you believe me? Would you agree?
It's almost that feeling that we've met before
So tell me that you don't think I'm crazy
When I tell you love has come here and now
~~
Ryo and Rika slow danced to the music, as the tamers watched.
~~
A moment like this
Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this
Some people search forever
For that one special kiss
Oh, I can't believe it's happening to me
Some people wait a lifetime
For a moment like this
~~
The song continued, as everyone watched the stars of their play. Everyone was either 'aww'ing, or sighing, or just watching.
"They make such a cute couple," Ashley sighed.
"Like us," Takato said from behind her. Ashley turned around and smiled. Takato kissed her. (A/N: TAKE THAT JURATO FANS!!! MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I'm feeling really rebellious today!! I'm so evil. MWHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!)
~~
Everything changes, but beauty remains
Something so tender, I can't explain
Well I maybe dreaming, but till I awake
Can we make this dream last forever?
And I cherish all the love we share
~~
Henry and Amber looked over at Takato and Ashley.
"You know what? They have the same idea I do," Henry said, causing Amber to giggle before he kissed her.
Finally, after two more minutes, the song was over. Ryo kissed Rika. Everyone cheered.
An hour later, everyone was leaving.
"You know what?" Kenta said, "Ryo and Rika, and Kazu and Madi, wouldn't be together right now if not for the West Side Story play. And whose idea was that?"
"Yeah, it was my idea," Ashley said, "I'm playing matchmaker and I don't even know it!"
Everyone laughed, and slowly left. Only Ryo and Rika were left.
"Come on, Tony, we'd better get going," Rika joked, taking Ryo's hand.
"Alright, my Maria."
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Ashley: *confetti comes down* It's over!!!!
Everyone: YAY!
Ashley: And to celebrate, I booked a band.
Rika: A band?
Ashley: PRAIZE!!! Come on out guys.
Dave: Hey Ash.
Ashley: Hey Wonder Bread!!!
Luke: Hey.
Ashley: *dreamily* Hey Luke...
Everyone else: Hi.
Ashley: So, let's get the party started! *over the music* I'd like to give a shout out to all my reviewers...this is gonna take long...well...
Kaibalover, dragongirl18, isis52, Kit Kat, Amethyst Blizzard, Kitaru15, Pirosphere, KT, dragongirl, DigiFreak103, RukiMakino1, Akino Matoumiken, The Anti Fluffy, Fuzzy Wuzzy Whitnery, A Friend, babe_galanime, your very angry friend, EvilVidel, bff, One of your Fans, littocherryblossom, Abby, your best bud, anonymous, myself, Rika14, Border Line, Midnight Blossom, taKAri_RyUki~ruLEz, r a d i a n c e, Raye, Angel, 9-gungaw In4, o0Kasumi0o, Sam8
THANK YOU!!!! I LOVE YOU PEEPS!!!!
Kazu: Let me say something before we end. HI PEOPLE!!!
Ashley: - -;; Um...BYE!!! SEE YA IN MY OTHER FICS!!!!!